2025 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference

AUTHORS: Evan Spencer, GRA South Dakota State University, Dr. Christopher Cheek, Assistant Professor South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Stream channel fragmentation constrains the movement of stream fishes, thereby reducing access to critical habitats. Stream-road crossings are prevalent throughout the United States and have the potential to fragment aquatic ecosystems. Tube culverts, where streams pass under the road through metal pipes, are particularly concerning for stream connectivity. Undersized, aging, or inappropriately installed culverts can develop vertical drops at the outflow due to high velocities and stream bed scouring. This condition, known as perching, can function as a barrier preventing the upstream movement of fishes. Due to the prevalence of culverts in stream networks, novel solutions are needed that rapidly address fish passage at perched culverts. In this study, we assessed a low-cost Denil-type fish ladder designed to integrate with tube culverts and mitigate stream fragmentation caused by tube culverts. Specific objectives are to (1) quantify the impact road crossings have on the movement of small-bodied fishes, (2) demonstrate the long-term and short-term efficacy of experimental fish ladders in facilitating fish passage through tube culverts, (3) determine passage rates among different swimming guilds of stream fishes in Eastern South Dakota. For this, eight stream road crossings we selected in the Big Sioux, Vermillion, and Minnesota River watersheds. A before-after-control impact design was adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of fish ladders on the movement of fishes through tube culverts. In the summer of 2023-2024, over 6000 small-bodied stream fishes comprised of 22 species were captured and implanted with Biomark 8mm PIT (passive integrated transponder) tags. Capture-recapture data was collected using PIT telemetry. In the Spring-Summer 2024, experimental fish ladders were installed at perched tube culverts and fish passage was evaluated using capture-recapture methodologies to model multi-state detection, survival, and transition probability.

AUTHORS: *Seth Callahan, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211, bscnh9@missouri.edu
*Presenting author

Jacob Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, 302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, westhoffj@missouri.edu

Brett Perkins, The Nature Conservancy, Dunn Ranch Prairie, 16970 W 150th St, Hatfield, MO 64458, brett.perkins@tnc.org


ABSTRACT: Human-made structures such as box culverts and similar road crossings can cause habitat fragmentation within stream networks and require remediation for effective aquatic organism passage. There is increasing interest in restoring habitat connectivity and aquatic organism passage for conservation purposes, along with assessing project effectiveness. Two, low- gradient rock ramps were installed in the forks of Little Creek in Harrison County, Missouri in 2022 to protect existing infrastructure and restore natural aquatic organism passage to over eight kilometers of headwater stream. These first order prairie streams had been eroded by head cutting to the base of each of the box culverts resulting in greater than one meter of drop on the downstream side of each culvert. Installation of the rock ramps at a natural grade sought to restore stream connectivity and allow for aquatic organism passage. We tagged multiple fish species downstream of each rock ramp using passive integrated responder (PIT) and visual implanted elastomer (VIE) tags in the spring of 2024 and used submersible PIT antennas and seining to detect fish movement. We determined that both rock ramps have allowed for fish passage of multiple fish species, including an experimental population of Topeka Shiners. We detected 14.5% of all PIT tagged fish successfully using the rock ramps to move upstream in the first two months of data collection. Three VIE tagged fish were recaptured upstream of the box culverts with seine nets. Our preliminary results highlight effective methods for monitoring aquatic organism passage in prairie streams and the ecological benefits of restored stream connectivity in fragmented habitats.

AUTHORS: Matthew R. Acre, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center; James J. Roberts, U.S. Geological Survey, Lake Erie Biological Station; Dustin W. Broaddus, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center; Ryan J. Trimbath, U.S. National Parks Service, Cuyahoga Valley National Park; Curt P. Wagner, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Ramsey A. S. Langford, Summit Metro Parks; Eric Waits, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development; Daniel J. Sullivan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development; Marc A. Mills, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development; Nick Barkowski, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; David M. Walters, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center

ABSTRACT: Fragmented aquatic systems are ubiquitous across the globe. Dams and other water control structures represent significant barriers to fish passage. In many countries, these structures represent ageing infrastructure which no longer serve their original function prompting an accelerated dam removal period. In the U.S., nearly 1200 dams have been removed in the last two decades. Dam removals serve multiple functions such as securing public safety by removing failing infrastructure, defragmenting riverscapes, and restoring the natural aesthetics of the river. Additionally, removals offer an opportunity to inform conservation science and community recovery in reconnected systems. The Cuyahoga River, infamous for catching fire and one of the driving forces that established the Environmental Protection Agency, has undergone several dam removals since 2006. One of the last remaining dams, constructed in 1913, is slated to be fully removed by 2026. To empirically assess fish community response to current and future restoration efforts we established 12 sites on the Cuyahoga River. We electrofished each site four times annually from 2022 to 2024 following methods of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). OEPA data was consistently collected on a 5- to 7-year cycle throughout the river and enabled us to directly compare historical assemblages (1987-2017) to more contemporary periods (2022-present). At the time of writing, we have collected over 20,000 fish and representing 60 species. We used ordination analyses, Bray-Curtis distances, and trajectory analyses to link disturbance events with community changes. The best predictor of community changes were dam removals followed by environmental variables such as river discharge. Other community metrics (diversity and richness) and trajectory analysis suggests communities downstream of the Gorge Dam, and with direct access to Lake Erie, are in a dynamic state. These baseline community data are critical to evaluate effectiveness of small and large restoration projects such as dam removals.

AUTHORS: Sophia M. Bonjour, U.S. Geological Survey; Cody G. Bowden, U.S. Geological Survey; Allison A. Pease, University of Missouri; Marc A. Mills, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; David M. Walters, U.S. Geological Survey; Ryan J. Trimbath, U.S. National Parks Service; Curtis Wagner, Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Ramsey Langford, Summit Metro Parks; Matthew R. Acre, U.S. Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to migratory species, particularly when compounded with additional environmental stressors. The Gorge Dam, located in the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern as designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is scheduled for removal in the coming years. Dam and associated contaminated sediment removal is a part of ongoing restoration efforts aimed at improving water quality, enhancing fish habitat, and facilitating fish passage. These efforts follow the removal of five other dams along the Cuyahoga River. In this study, we used acoustic and radio telemetry to examine the seasonal movements of two migratory redhorse sucker species from 2023 to 2024). Silver Redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum) remained within the Cuyahoga River year-round, moving upstream an average of 28.8 km from March to April to an area between the historic Brecksville Dam (removed in 2020) and the Gorge Dam. In contrast, all seven Shorthead Redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) tagged in the river during 2023 migrated from the river into Lake Erie between May and July, moving a minimum of 60 km away from the river and averaging 19 km per day at emigration. Five Shorthead Redhorse returned to the Cuyahoga River between February and April 2024, with most fish moving more than 4 km upstream of the historic Brecksville Dam. Telemetry data provide support that fish are moving into areas reconnected by dam removals in the Cuyahoga River and reveal long-range migration patterns between the river and Lake Erie by Shorthead Redhorse.

AUTHORS: Don Pereira, HDR Inc.; Cory Gieseke, HDR Inc.; Joe Dvorak, HDR Inc.; Riley Adams, Calibre Engineering; Ben Nelson, City of Anoka; Chris Lord, Anoka Soil and Water Conservation District; Martin Weber, HDR Inc.


ABSTRACT: The Rum River in Minnesota is a tributary to the Mississippi River. It flows out of Mille Lacs Lake and joins the Mississippi River approximately 20 miles upstream of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. The Rum River is a significant coolwater ecosystem and is included in the State of Minnesota’s Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River Program. A wooden dam on the Rum River was initially constructed in 1853 to provide power for the early timber industry. After several modifications, the concrete dam today only provides for flood control and a summer recreational pool. The City of Anoka is now evaluating large scale reconstruction/modification and retrofitting to accommodate multiple uses and visions for the community. Candidate uses include hydroelectric power, a lock system for recreational boaters, a whitewater park, fish passage, and safety upgrades. We applied a water allocation model to determine the optimal combination of uses based on the amount of water available throughout the year. Our initial design work indicates that fish passage, a boat lock, and a whitewater park may be feasible. A comprehensive, multi-use system will serve many benefits, and a modernized, gentrified dam will be a key focal point for the local community.

AUTHORS: Jacob Zona, South Dakota State University; Tait Ronningen, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Christopher Cheek, South Dakota State University; Stephanie Webster, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Habitat fragmentation is one of the most pressing issues in conservation biology. Restricting the movement of organisms can limit access to critical habitats during different life history stages, reduce population sizes, decrease genetic connectivity, and ultimately disrupt community structure. There has been a tremendous amount of research and management focused on the impact of large dams on aquatic ecosystems, particularly anadromous fishes. However, the removal or remediation of these structures is often socially unfeasible or financially restrictive. Work focusing on smaller, more abundant barriers to aquatic organism passage (e.g. culverts, low-head dams) has increased in recent years. Considering the wide geographic scope of this issue and the enormous number of potential barriers, careful consideration needs to be taken on where best to focus limited financial resources. As more stakeholders begin working in watershed connectivity, coordination between partners becomes increasingly important. Multiple resources available to managers have been recently developed to aid in this prioritization and coordination. We utilized the USFWS National Fish Passage Coordination Map and the SARP National Aquatic Barrier Inventory and Prioritization Tool to help us more effectively assess stream connectivity across the western Great Plains in partnership with the BLM. Using the NFPCM we prioritized 38 HUC10 watersheds across Eastern Montana based on percent BLM ownership, SGCN fish species richness, amount of stream habitat, and coverage by previous barrier survey projects. We also used the NFPCM combined with other GIS tools to identify, categorize, and prioritize potential barriers within each watershed prior to field surveys. Between July and September 2024, 329 potential barriers were assessed using the Stream Crossing Survey and the Dam and Diversions Survey through SARP. Each survey was uploaded to the NABI where managers can now use the prioritization tool to determine best candidates for remediation based on their specific connectivity goals.

AUTHORS: Mary Khoury, The Nature Conservancy; Erik Martin, The Nature Conservancy; Mark Anderson, The Nature Conservancy; Arlene Olivero, The Nature Conservancy; Analie Barnett, The Nature Conservancy.

ABSTRACT: Over the last century, the ecological integrity of most streams and lakes has declined, and now climate change is altering historic precipitation and temperature patterns, further impacting freshwater environments. In response, The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Center for Resilient Conservation Science engaged 60 colleagues over three years to assess river networks in the conterminous United States (CONUS) for resilience to climate change (Anderson et al. 2024). Freshwater resilience is the ability of a freshwater system to sustain biodiversity even as it responds to a changing climate. An integral component of freshwater resilience is aquatic connectivity. Large, diverse, and connected river networks in good ecological condition and with ample, unaltered water are expected to be more resilient because they provide many ways for freshwater species to adapt to changing conditions. TNC’s freshwater resilience analysis results are designed to assist practitioners working to protect or restore freshwater habitats. Available through the Resilient River Explorer (maps.tnc.org/resilientrivers), the two main products are: 1. Freshwater Resilience, a map and spatial database that scores every subwatershed in CONUS for climate resilience and provides users with the component values used to calculate resilience; and 2. the Freshwater Resilient and Connected Network (FRCN), which identifies a representative network of rivers, streams, and wetlands that, if conserved, could potentially sustain the freshwater diversity of CONUS under a changing climate. This presentation will highlight the key components of TNC’s freshwater resilience analysis, introduce the Resilient River Explorer (RRE) web tool and discuss its complementarity with the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory and Prioritization tool (https://aquaticbarriers.org/). While each web tool serves distinct purposes, the two can be used together to inform aquatic connectivity restoration activities that will increase the resilience of freshwater systems.

AUTHORS: Eric Rahm, Stream Biologist, Missouri Dept of Conservation

ABSTRACT: We will highlight the Missouri Stream Connectivity Partnership (MO SCP) and other conectivity teams throughout the Southeastern United States. We will share resourecs avaliable from American Rivers and the Southeast Aquatic Resource Partnership (SARP).